California's Riche$t Breakaway & All Girl Team Roping

By Taryn Krantz
Special To Ropers Sports News

SALINAS, CALIF – Salinas in July is famous for their one-of-a-kind rodeo and unique set-up. Well, a new tradition is bringing popularity to the area this time of year.

The second annual California’s Richest Breakaway Roping held July 17 at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Posse Arena in Salinas hosted a full day of the top ropers. Producers Jackie Crawford and Danielle Craig went above and beyond last year’s momentous event by adding an All Girl Open Team Roping to the field.

California’s Richest Breakaway Roping hosted 43 of the top breakaway ropers on four calves. D Bar M provided custom shirts for all contestants. Pete Holman provided a great set of calves that gave everyone a chance to win. Producers did everything possible to ensure all ropers had a chance on the animal they were drawn.

After three full rounds were paid out the top 15 ropers advanced to the short round and recieved jackets from Ariat and an awesome prize pack from Classic. The score was a little shorter this year to ensure that all ropers had a chance on what animals they had drawn, this was just one thing that producers did to ensure all contestants had a fair chance. After the final calf, Jackie Crawford clinched her second straight California’s Richest Breakaway Roping title, roping four calves in 14.37 and winning a gorgeous Cactus saddle. For the Junior Incentive, Londyn Brazil, the 2016-2017 National Junior High School Rodeo Association President, clinched the average on three head, taking home a gorgeous Tres Rios Buckle.

New to the California’s Richest Breakaway Roping day was the All Girl Open Team Roping. The roping hosted 56 of the toughest all girl teams around. Steve Simons brought a great set of steers that provided fast times and a great roping for spectators. Lizzy Cupples and Noel Hannon roped four steers in 39.27 to win custom Cactus rope bags.

Special thanks to the sponsors who make this event possible: Classic Equine, Equibrand, Cactus Saddlery, Cactus Ropes, Ariat, Tres Rios Silver, MyCars, Best Ever Pads, D Bar M Western Wear, Ropers Sports News, Java Express Coffee, Rafter M Welding, Gabilan Welding, Pierce Realty, Anita Charlie, Dr. Mary Brioschi, Coastal Cooling, Opafarms, Ram Property Management, Perfect Timing Systems, Lee Legasey, Martin Saddlery, Rattler, and Steve Simons S Bar J Cattle.

The event was truly a labor of love and a premier event for lady ropers. Special thanks to the producers entire crew who made the event run smoothly. Lee Legasey handled the barrier and everything went great. Darrick Hoskins kept the ground in perfect condition throughout the day. Jeff Brazil flagged both ropings and never made a mistake. David Porteur did a great job spotting in the Breakaway Roping to ensure all catches were bellcollar only. Of course a premier roping event requires the best guy around to “pop the latch.” Carlos Guajardo kept all the cattle standing and never missed a nod in the intense situation. Everytime someone walked into the box they were reminded to “be like Carlos.” Along with the awesome help on the arena floor those in the office made the event run without a hitch. Sheena Hoskins, Wendy Sans, and Vickie Sabin kept everything organized and never missed a time. If the excitement of the day was not enough Tony Branquinho, announcer, entertained spectators and ropers with his enthusiasm, personal touch, and creative playlist. Also, a huge thanks to all those people who jumped in and helped where necessary, and to all the girls who keep coming out to support these ropings.

Plans are already in the works for next year’s event to make it bigger and better, if that is even possible. To stay up to date on all the California’s Richest Breakaway Roping news or if you are interested in becoming involved, you can follow the event on Facebook.

OPEN BREAKAWAY: 4 for $300, 43 entries.

1st. go: 1. Noel Hannon, 2.42, $626. 2. Courtney Wood, 3.14, $480. 3. Jackie Crawford, 3.32, $349.

2nd. go: 1. Mattie Work, 3.09, $626. 2. Suzanne Williams, 3.40, $480. 3. Erin Torquato, 3.72, $349.

3rd. go: 1. Jackie Crawford, 2.85, $626. 2. Suzanne Williams, 2.97, $480. 3. Brittany Dias, 3.01, $349.

Short go: 1. Erica Krantz, 2.77, $250. 2. Noel Hannon, 2.92, $150.

Average: 1. Jackie Crawford, 14.37, $1,966. 2. Emily Clendenen, 14.86, $1,638. 3. Courtney Wood, 15.22, $1,310. 4. Chelsea Bushnell, 27.05, $983. 5. Noel Hannon, 9.23 on three, $655.

ALL GIRL TEAM ROPING: 56 teams.

1st. go: 1. Jackie Crawford and Chelsea Bushnell, 6.52, $1,075. 2. Laci Lowery and Ali Bilkey, 6.98,$716.

Average: 1. Lizzy Cupples and Noel Hannon, 39.27, $2,150. 2. Rylee George and Rikki Perezchica, 50.28, $1,792. 3. Karen Dias and Ashley Martinkus, 50.41, $1,432. 4. Jackie Crawford and Taryn Krantz, 30.66 on three, $1,076. 5. Emily Clendenen and Laci Lowry, 30.91, $716.

WPRA SIDE POT:

Average: 1. Jackie Crawford, $204. 2. Suzanne Williams, $156. 3. Courtney Wood, $114.

Producers Danielle Craig (l) and Jackie Crawford (r) present a buckle to Londyn Brazil, Junior Incentive winner.